Pod Save the World
Pod Save the World
Each week, “Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor and Obama’s former Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes break down the biggest developments in foreign policy, national security and global politics. They try to explain which stories matter and why, and what we can all do to understand and shape the world around us.
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Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 12, 2017 • 33min
Russians, guns and Mosul
Tommy talks with former top defense official Derek Chollet about Donald Trump Jr.’s keystone cops collusion with Russia before transitioning to a conversation about the fight against ISIS in Mosul, Syria and the Trump administration’s policy in Afghanistan. It was incredible. Tell your friends.
Jul 5, 2017 • 40min
Ambassador Susan Rice
Tommy talks with former Obama National Security Advisor Susan Rice about her transition to civilian life, Syria, ISIS, Russia and Trump's approach to Africa.
Jun 21, 2017 • 42min
Europe, Nukes, and Cybersecurity
Tommy talks with former Deputy Secretary of Energy, defense policy and Europe expert Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall about the future of Europe in the wake of Brexit. Then they discussed nuclear weapons in the US and Pakistan, cybersecurity, the advanced science being done at our National Labs, and how government can recruit more women into national security jobs.
Jun 14, 2017 • 35min
Illegal Wars with Senator Tim Kaine
Tommy talks with Senator Tim Kaine about how it’s possible that sixteen years after the 9/11 attacks, the congressional authorization that allowed us to respond with military force is the legal basis for wars against groups like ISIS that didn’t even exist at the time.
Jun 7, 2017 • 39min
NATO, mistakes we made in Libya, and lessons from Iraq and Afghanistan
Tommy talks with former US Ambassador to NATO Ivo Daalder about Trump’s disastrous trip to NATO before transitioning to a broader conversation about when the global community should use military force. Ivo offers an unvarnished take on the mistakes the US and NATO made in Libya, Iraq and Afghanistan.
May 31, 2017 • 40min
Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns
Tommy talks with former Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns about his three decades at the State Department. They discuss US relations with Russia and Jared Kushner’s backchannel, Trump’s trip to Europe, Bill’s role in leading the Iran talks and what it means to be loyal to a President and country.
May 24, 2017 • 43min
Turkey and 28 Hours Pinned Down by ISIS with Arwa Damon
Tommy talks with CNN International correspondent Arwa Damon about Turkey's descent into a dictatorship and President Erdogan's visit to the White House. Then they discuss the 28 hours Damon spent pinned down by ISIS fighters in Mosul, her coverage of refugees fleeing Syria, and her nonprofit organization INARA
May 16, 2017 • 45min
Love, Africa with Jeffrey Gettleman
Tommy and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and New York Times East Africa bureau chief Jeffrey Gettleman discuss his new book Love, Africa. They talk about the risks that come with working in places like Somalia and South Sudan, including Jeffrey (repeatedly) being held at gunpoint, and the balance between reporting facts and telling stories to that help create empathy for people suffering.
May 10, 2017 • 26min
Trump Fired Jim Comey?!?
Tommy talks with former DOJ Official Matthew Miller about Trump's decision to fire FBI Director Jim Comey.
May 3, 2017 • 44min
100 Days of foreign policy with Eli Lake
Tommy and Bloomberg columnist Eli Lake review Trump’s first 100 days on foreign policy. They cover Trump’s staffing decisions, US relations with Russia, willingness to stand up for US values, management of North Korea, ISIS, Syria and the Middle East peace process.
